Brown, Batten carry BC past Marist 79-61

BOSTON (AP) A couple of graduate transfers helped Boston College overcome what coach Jim Christian felt was a sluggish start.

Aaron Brown scored 19 points, Dimitri Batten had 17 and the Eagles pulled away for a 79-61 non-conference victory over Marist on Monday night.

Brown, a transfer from Southern Mississippi, nailed 3 of 6 of his 3-point attempts and Batten, who transferred from Old Dominion, hit 3 of 4.

''Neither one of them were happy with their numbers in terms of how they were playing,'' Christian said. ''They're older guys. They get it. I think they responded the way I would expect them to respond.''

Olivier Hanlan added nine points, nine assists and five rebounds for the Eagles (3-3), who took charge midway into the second half.

Chavaughn Lewis led injury-depleted Marist (1-5) with 28 points and Manny Thomas had 13.

The Eagles turned a tight game into a 59-44 lead with a 12-3 run midway into the second half. Brown scored the final six points - all on driving baskets - of the spree.

''I would just say we bring like an older-veteran type of things,'' Brown said. ''Guys speak to us and ask us about our past experiences.''

After the Eagles took control, Marist didn't get its deficit below double digits the rest of the way.

''We needed to survive this storm and get invaluable experience for players who haven't been in this position before, until we can our guys back,'' Red Foxes coach Mike Maker said.

Boston College led by five at halftime and quickly pushed it to 47-38 on consecutive 3-pointers from Batten in the opening 2 1/2 minutes of the second half.

BC trailed only after the game's initial basket and held a 41-36 edge at halftime. Marist stayed close because of strong outside shooting in the opening half, nailing 55.6 percent (10 of 18) and 13 of its 14 free throws.

The Red Foxes challenged BC to shot from the outside for most of the half, playing a tight zone.

It was only the second-ever meeting of the schools. BC won the other in 2000.

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FINALLY BACK IN ACTION

It was BC's first game since Nov. 23 when it lost to Dayton in its third game at the Puerto Rico Tip-off. ''I hate to have a week off,'' Christian said. ''When you get into the rhythm of playing, I like to play every three, four days.''

HANDLED THE BALL BETTER

The Eagles had 16 assists to nine turnovers. Coming in, they were averaging 11 assists and 16.8 turnovers per game. ''We wanted to cut our turnovers down,'' Christian said. ''We were averaging way too many.''

TIP-INS

Marist: The Red Foxes were down to two starters because of injuries to guards Khallid Hart (left foot) and T. J. Curry (right hand). Obi Momah (left foot) hasn't played yet this season.

Boston College: The Eagles came in shooting just 19.8 percent (20 of 101) on 3-point attempts. They hit their first two of the game and 5 of 13 in the opening half before finishing 8 for 20 in the game. ''It was just a matter of staying focused not rushing our shots,'' Brown said.

UP NEXT

Marist: Hosts Monmouth in its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener on Thursday.

Boston College: Hosts Providence on Friday.